Y Kant Tori Read is a band founded by singer/songwriter Tori Amos before she achieved success as a sensitive alternative songstress. The name refers to Amos' days at the Peabody conservatory, where she played songs on her piano after hearing them once, but never mastered reading sheet music. The band performed around California before landing a contract with Atlantic, who commissioned different musicians. The resultant Y Kant Tori Read LP showcases several big-name players, including Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and future Guns N' Roses pounder Matt Sorum. Guitarist Steve Caton and percussionist Paulinho Da Costa worked with Amos beyond Y Kant Tori Read. Renowned keyboard sessionman Kim Bullard co-wrote many of the songs with Amos, who is known only as Tori in the liner notes which strangely thank an executive for "letting me make the record I wanted to make." Amos graces the cover clad in tight bustier and sporting Vixen-ish hair. A video promoting lead track and first single "Big Picture" disappeared upon release; second single "Cool on Your Island" also sank. Amos persevered with Atlantic and became a compassionate celebrity in the '90s. In interviews, Amos disavows Y Kant Tori Read, claiming that, while she doesn't hate the material, the album hardly represents what she is now doing musically. She also stated that Y Kant Tori Read resurrects her struggles in California and other incidents (some addressed in "Me and a Gun") she'd rather forget. Naturally, copies from the original pressing became collector's items, selling at exorbitant prices and triggering a rash of bootlegs, the most popular of which (from Pacific rather than Atlantic) even tacks on bonus Tori cuts. Like Wicked Lester or Fuse, this bit of arcana is of use to completists only. ~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide